Palani Hill Temple

Bhogar was a South Indian by birth, belonging to the caste of gold smiths. Who became Palani has been mentioned in the Tamil Sangam literature as “Podhini”, which came to be called as Palani “later according to the historians. In “Thirumurukatruppadai” (a Sangam Literature) Palani has been mentioned as the third “Padai Veedu”. This was the southern end of the Kongu Nadu and edicts refer to this place as “Vaiyapuri Nadu”. Which was ruled by King Vaiyapuri Kopperumbaegan. Many Siddhas are said to have lived in this region. The Idol of Palani Andavar is said to have been made of  Navapashanam (a combination of Nine Minerals) , by a Sage called Bhogar. It is also claimed by many that the materials  of abhishegam like milk, sandalpaste, etc., attain medicinal properties on being poured over lord Palani andor or Subramanya Idol and they have cured many diseases, when taken by the patients. It is a speciality of Palani.

Going by Legend, Narada Maharshi, had brought a divine fruit known as the “Gnana pazham” (Fruit of knowledge) and gifted it to Lord Shiva and Parvathi. Lord shiva told his Sons Lord Ganapathy and Lord Murugan that the first one among them to circle the globe would win the fruit. Accepting the challenge Lord Murugan quickly set off on his vehicle – the Peacock. But Ganesha just circled his parents and said that parents are his world. The astute reasoning impressed Shiva and so he gave the “Gnanapazham” to Lord Ganesha, when Lord Murugan returned , he was very disappointed with Lord Shiva’s decision. So he left his parents and came to Thiru Aavinankudi at the adivaram (Foot of Sivagiri hill). Shiva calmed him down by saying that Lord Murugan himself was a fruit of all knowledge Pazham Nee – Pazham means fuit and Nee means you; that you are the fruit of  knowledge and hence the name Palani had evolved. Later on it is said that Lord Murugan settled down in Palani as a hermit just with a lion cloth and stick symbolizing humbleness and simplicity.

Another Legend holds that the Idol, after centuries of worship, fell into neglect and was suffered to be engulfed by the forest. One night, Cheraman Perumal, a king of the cheras, who controlled the area between the second and fifth centuries A.D. When the King was touring the Palani Hills, Lord Murugan came and gave a darshan in his dream and ordered him to rebuilt the hill temple. The Chera King went up the hill and really found, the Idol of Murugan. He with all devotion rebuilt the present temple.

The Idol of the Lord Muruga in Palani, was created by the Sage Bhogar, one of the eighteen great ascetics (Siddhas), out of an amulgam of Nine Poinsons or “Nava Pashanam”. He lived long ago 3000 B.C. A medical prodigy as he was, he could prepare the amulgam of nine medicinal minerals in proper proprtion. It is also claimed by many that materials of abhishegam like milk, sandalpaste, etc., attain medicinal properties on being poured over Lord Murugan’s Idol and they have cured many diseases, when taken by the patients. It is a speciality of Palani.

siddhapurusha under the guidance of kalanginaathar. As per the last wishes of his guru, Bogar proceeded  to China to spread the knowledge of Siddha Sciences and strangely enough his journey is said to have been made with the aid of an aircraft; he demonstrated to the chinese the details of the construction of the aircraft and later built for them a sea-going craft using a steam engine. The details of these and other experiments demonstrated by bogar in china are clearly documented in the Saptakanda.